Shire of Narrogin gives notice of intention to lease Archibald Park to new incorporated jet boat club

Jet boating could be set to return to Narrogin after a three-year absence if the Shire of Narrogin’s proposed lease of Archibald Park to the newly-formed Narrogin Jetsprint Club goes ahead. The five-year contract would allow the club to run up to six events per year at the park, which last hosted a jet boat event in October 2020. Built in the early 90s, only the rusty remnants of dam’s racing past remain, with the cleared patch of scrub close to the Narrogin townsite now forming part of a walking trail. Simon Cain — former president of West Coast Jet Sprint — has applied for the incorporation of Narrogin Jetsprint Club as a local club. Its endeavour to upgrade and maintain the Archibald Park course forms part of the club’s objectives to raise the profile of jet boat racing in regional WA. The proposal allows for the withdrawal of water from the nearby Railway Dam to raise the level of Archibald Dam under strict environmental conditions, including that it be returned after the event. Water from Railway Dam was used to raise the level at Archibald Dam for the 2020 event run by West Coast Jet Sprint Club, which caused some controversy at the time. The Narrogin Environmental Action Team sent a letter to councillors expressing concern about modifications to the area that seemed to be “very much at odds” with the shire’s Railway Dam Reserve 20939 Management Plan, including the pumping of water from Railway Dam. The shire at that time placed conditions on the right to draw water from Railway Dam, ensuring an adequate supply was retained in Railway Dam to sustain the fauna, fish and bird life, with environmental health officers and rangers noting only positive benefits to the water quality by increasing its aeration and turbidity. The proposal also stipulates that access to the Archibald Dam walk trails on non-event days would need to be maintained. Given the incorporated club’s status as a not-for-profit body, it would be charged a peppercorn lease of $1 per year by the Shire of Narrogin. Written submissions in response to the proposal can be sent to enquiries@narrogin.wa.gov.au and further information regarding the lease can be found on the Shire of Narrogin website. Submissions must be made before 4pm on November 10.